Scouting Underrated Players from Rockvale’s Spring Practice

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone's Shayne Pickering and I have started our 2026 Spring Tour, visiting various programs across the state to conduct interviews and see talented players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first visit in the series was at Rockvale High School, where the scouts got a close-up look at an up-and-coming program led by second-year head coach James Counce III.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After being able to see a plethora of prospects, I'll be discussing five underrated players on this squad. The majority are on the defensive side, with four guys, but the lone offensive player is a future superstar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2159527} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/dallasjohnson-crop-1844x1211-1774579710.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2159527" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rockvale DB [player_tooltip player_id='1662944' first='Dallas' last='Johnson'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1662944' first='Dallas' last='Johnson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1662944' first='Dallas' last='Johnson'] is one of the most underrated players in the Midstate and comes to Rockvale from Stewarts Creek. He transferred in after having a solid 2025 season, earning Region 3-6A honors for his play on both sides of the ball. The rising senior is a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions, including every secondary spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson was running solely with the defense when I saw him in person the other day, but that doesn't mean that he won't have an opportunity to play offense. However, defensive back is his best spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a lengthy guy, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 175 pounds, with a lean, athletic frame that allows him to be used everywhere. Johnson is a fluid mover, moves well laterally, is a high-instinct player and has nice tackling skills to make him an every-down defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2104948} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/113-Clayton-Jackson-crop-574x377-1768340316.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2104948" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rockvale TE/EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1648774' first='Clayton' last='Jackson'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 DE [player_tooltip player_id='1648774' first='Clayton' last='Jackson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1648774' first='Clayton' last='Jackson'] is someone who stood out quickly when Prep Redzone visited Rockvale High School. He plays both sides of the ball as a tight end and defensive end, but is best suited for the defensive side. The 2029 prospect has all the physical tools, is ahead of the game in his movements and is a high-motor player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He possesses terrific size for a rising sophomore lineman, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 225 pounds, with a well-built frame and plenty of length. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson got a lot of run with the big dogs in Wednesday's practice and was impressive. The talented young buck has the athleticism, bend and burst off the edge to be an excellent pass rusher in the future, with the strength and motor to also be productive against the run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson must continue developing to maximize his potential, but he has high upside on defense. Coach Counce has himself a future stud in this 2029 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2159530} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Photo-Mar-26-2026-9-51-59-PM-crop-1320x867-1774580204.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2159530" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rockvale OLB Gabriel Gory during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 OLB Gabriel Gory</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabriel Gory is a player I didn't know until I watched Rockvale practice, but I can confidently say he's one of the most underrated players in the area. The rising senior plays outside linebacker and was productive last season, but has taken that next step heading into his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 prospect stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 210 pounds, making him a little undersized for the position. However, he is a gamer. Gory consistently makes plays, has a high motor and the skill set to do just about everything for the Rockets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He does a good job of disrupting plays, whether that's with a sack or TFL, or he's just blowing up the pocket and forcing the quarterback to get rid of the football. Gory is productive in the run game as well and can play coverage anywhere around the second level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2159534} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Photo-Mar-26-2026-9-53-38-PM-crop-1320x867-1774580317.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2159534" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rockvale ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1553521' first='Arden' last='Lewis'] during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1553521' first='Arden' last='Lewis']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1553521' first='Arden' last='Lewis'] is one of the most intriguing players in Tennessee due to his elite athleticism and versatility on offense. He can play quarterback at a high level, but was at receiver last season because the Rockets had an experienced signal caller. Still, they found opportunities to let the 2029 prospect sling the rock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis completed several impressive passes, but was most productive out wide, catching 25 balls for 263 yards and two scores. He has good size for his age, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 170 pounds, with a long frame that gave him an advantage over most defensive backs. He's an elite playmaker with good speed, burst, elusiveness and can juke out just about everyone in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I did not get to see him in person this week because he was attending an academic event. But his tape is highly impressive at both positions. Lewis is a polished passer for his age with a nice arm, good pocket awareness, solid accuracy and the ability to make something out of nothing. He will be one of the top players in Tennessee soon, so watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DeMarrionT2027/status/2019816829045338472?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DeMarrionT2027/status/2019816829045338472?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 DL DeMarrion Thomas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeMarrion Thomas is going under the radar as a defensive lineman, but he's very productive with the versatility to play all over. He was a key contributor in 2025, but looks to have taken the next step in becoming one of the better defenders in the Midstate. Thomas is a compact but well-built player, offering plenty of strength and physicality in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He plays most of his snaps as a defensive end, but Rockvale has him kick inside and play across the center at times. Regardless of where he is, Thomas gets his. Some of them may not show up in the stat sheet, but he is good at disrupting plays and making the offense force things with how quickly he can blow up a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior is a sound run stuffer with the body, strength and quickness to clog run lanes or record tackles for loss. But don't sleep on his ability to rush the passer. He's fast for his position, which allows him to blow past offensive linemen and pressure the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->